FINLAND | Internship: At work | Cultural standards
Objective orientation
For professional cooperation with Finns, the subject being dealt with, the roles and the professional competence of the participants are decisive. Business-like behaviour is seen as professional. Emotions and personal relationships should not be mixed with business. Expertise is valued. The boss is not always right! Meetings have aims and purposes. People argue with a specific objective and with the facts. Finnish “small talk” is rare and its’ structure differs from the Anglo-American one. Often a comment about the weather or some other common neutral topic is enough. Personal conversations are only common when people have been working together for a while. People virtually get to know each other better on lunch breaks and coffee breaks. This is a perfect opportunity to also get to know other colleagues.
Valuing structures and rules
In Finland people are normally very law abiding, they stick to rules, directives and instructions. The Finns don’t directly comment on other peoples’ minor mistakes. But for example to jump the queue is very rude. At work the superior usually discusses the matter with the employee in private. The boss takes action if needed.
In order to create rules, complex and detailed planning is very important. This is intended to eliminate errors before they can happen. In an ideal situation everyone who is involved is included in the planning process. The plan can then be set in place and the points are processed accordingly. There is no easy flexibility from this point onwards.
Formal channels are given preference for communication in the workplace. This means consultation, meetings and conferences recorded with minutes and an information distribution system for example via the internet.
The fulfilment of business tasks is the main focus when assessing employees.
Time planning
Time is a precious thing and an important subject in Finland "I don’t have the time, I’m under stress". Time must be used effectively and is therefore precisely planned – including long-term dates!
Reliability is fundamental in order to develop a good working relationship. Time is only dedicated to important things and important people. A good reason for unpunctuality must be given otherwise this is taken as a personal offence.
Arranged appointments are binding and obligatory. In order for the system not to break down due to all of the appointments, the timely execution of tasks and projects according to plan has a higher priority than personal interests and often hardly gives any time for spontaneous meetings.
Self management
This means that everyone in the working environment complies with specific roles and skills, honours promises and arrangements, is punctual and actively takes the necessary initiatives. There are no external channels to monitor this. It is simply expected that everyone does this automatically in their own area. This means that individuals identify themselves with the joint plan and take over responsibility for implementing the plans for their own area of work.
Separation of personality traits and personal life
In the work place in Finland the atmosphere is usually democratic and the interaction is non formal. Everyone has their own roles though – so calling each other by first name does not necessarily mean that they are friends and know each other well.
During the first initial contact the tendency is towards keeping a distance and holding factual conversations but then emotion and acknowledgement of others arises. If you have gained a Finn as a friend, the relationship is a pure matter of the heart which is associated with mutual obligations, faithfulness and always remembering birthdays etc.
Private matters and business matters are strictly separated and personal questions are often found to be intrusive. During initial contact the conversations usually revolve around work. A good harmless subject is also the home country of a new foreign colleague. Later on it is possible to discuss any subject.
The easiest way to find friends in Finland is through a mutual interest such as in club.
Unambiguous context (straight talking)
The Finnish communication style is quite direct, explicit, not allways diplomatic but truthful. The Finns say what they mean and mean what they say! They get straight to the point and expect this from others too. They do not always think about the other person’s feelings but do not intend to hurt others. The open expression of opinions and constructive criticism is done on purpose. The idea is that the constructive criticism relates to the matter under discussion and not the person. Sometimes the Finns are sensitive to criticism and feel that it is personal.